Remembering Lives Lost to Domestic Violence: Annual Memorial Tree Lighting Ceremony

Victims, advocates, and family members attended the 20th annual lighting of the Domestic Violence Memorial Tree on Dec. 12, 2024 at the Ella B. Scarborough Community Resource Center. For each name, an attendee tied a ribbon to the tree. There was a total of 87 N.C. names; 13 from Mecklenburg County.

Mecklenburg County and its partners will light up the 21st annual Domestic Violence Memorial Tree to commemorate the lives lost this year to domestic violence in the county and across North Carolina.  

The North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence has reported 86 domestic violence-related deaths between Jan. 1 and Nov. 26, 2025, in North Carolina. Out of these, six were residents of Mecklenburg County.

A ribbon will be placed on the ceremonial tree in recognition of each life lost. The ceremony will close with the lighting of the tree to symbolize shedding a light on the issue of domestic violence. Community residents are encouraged to attend and to revisit the memorial throughout the holidays. The tree will be on display through the beginning of January 2026. 

The annual memorial tree lighting is a partnership among:

Refreshments will be served. Attendance and parking are free.  

A Facebook Live broadcast of the event will be on the DVAC Charlotte-Mecklenburg page.

For more information on the effects of domestic violence in our community, contact the 24-hour Greater Charlotte Hope Line at 980-771-4673 or Mecklenburg County Community Support Services at 704-336-3210. View photos from the 2024 tree lighting ceremony.